Intoxicating India

A concise travel guide to transform your India travel into an unforgettable experience that will blaze in your memory for years to come

Introduction

India is the second most populous country in the world. Here you can find more English-speaking people than any other country except for the USA. Explore a diverse culture and geographical variety from the Himalayan Mountains to the Indian Ocean, to being transported by elephants. Be amazed by the application of henna (Mehndi), a beautiful form of skin tattoo.

Here you can buy authentic Chikankari Fabrics (a traditional form of embroidery), handcrafted juttis, and Pashmina Shawls, which we consider the finest cashmere wool. In fact, Pashmina is translated as soft gold. As the world’s second largest tea producer, India has much to offer starting with a warm cup of Masala Chai and other varieties including white and oolong teas with minimum oxidation, and exclusive teas from Darjeeling and Assam. If you thought Arabica coffee was sharp and pungent, then wait until you taste Manjarabad (double the caffeine!).

Take your taste buds for a spin by sampling some of the most authentic Indian dishes with real herbs and spices from the local markets. You might have heard of the principles of Ayurveda, which represents the most significant science of Hindu health and medicine combining herbs, diet, and yogic breathing to achieve a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Why Travel to India

India is a country with fascinating landscapes and diverse traditions. This is the country where you can experience every form of adventure from climbing the Himalaya Mountains to catching a tan on majestic, sun-drenched beaches.

Dive into a fascinating, fragrant and delicious world of Indian dishes. Indian cuisine is a fine art of combining simmered, fried, roasted and kneaded foods and ingredients in fascinating combinations that will awaken your senses. Sample delicious regional creations like pork vindaloo, chicken tikka masala with freshly ground spices, juicy mutton pieces, Chole Bhature, and delicious leavened flat bread (Naan). Indian chefs have an exceptional culinary talent for marrying flavours that you won’t find in any other cuisine.

India has over 25 cultural and 7 natural attractions on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Major airports in India include Indira Gandhi International Airport, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport, Chennai International Airport, and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

About 80% of Indians are Hindu

The highest mountain in India is Kanchenjunga (8,598m)

India gained its independence in 1947; Mahatma Gandhi played an important part

Cricket is the most popular sport in India (the Chail Cricket Ground in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, is at 2444m the highest cricket ground in the world)

The 2010 Commonwealth Games was hosted in Delhi, India

Shampoo comes from India – champu meaning to massage

Using a Moon Mineralogy Mapper, India discovered water on the moon

Queen’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury was of Indian descent

Cows freely wander the streets of India’s cities

The most common name is Sneha (female) and Raj (male)

McLeod Ganj is home of the Dalai Lama

The challenges of travelling to India

As the second most populous country in the world, India makes solo travelling challenging and at times unsafe due to large traffic on the streets. You are also likely to experience a lack of privacy and females, in particular, are likely to get lots of stares. Harmless in most instances, gawking is what Indian people do when they see strangers, especially female strangers. People are generally nice, so overreacting is not recommended.

Hygiene may also present challenges to most Western travellers. You’re unlikely to find clean, shiny, porcelain toilets here. Most Westerners need to adjust to a completely new culture and those who adapt quickly tend to experience less stress and more enjoyment of their travel. The other option is to travel with a group and a guide where your trips are organised by someone who has plenty of tour experience. That way, you should enjoy your travel more. It’s also recommended to carry toilet paper with you as it is often not supplied, especially in public toilets. Having a good hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes can often save the day and make your travel less stressful.

Solo travellers, in particular, are faced with many, and sometimes unpleasant, social issues including political instability, poverty, unemployment, and corruption. While most people are nice and polite, many do take advantage of tourists, so you need to plan your tour carefully.

Other challenges include hardly any proper accommodation, messy and crowded public transport, many unclean restaurants, and street beggars. If chatty young men try to engage you–don’t stop, smile and keep walking.

Before you set out for the journey, we recommend that you visit your family GP to discuss necessary vaccinations and health issues that you might have.

The benefits of travelling to India

Properly planned and organised, India travel can be an enjoyable and memorable adventure. Here you will experience one of the world’s oldest cultures, historic sites, lost empires, incredible architecture, and delicious lip-smacking flavours of Punjab guaranteed to tantalise your senses. India rewards those travellers who are open to experiencing the unexpected. It offers a soul-stirring, beautiful journey across the epochs as you explore its mysterious relics, monuments, and artifacts. It’s a must-visit destination for history buffs and adventurous travellers looking to immerse themselves in an intoxicating culture.